CPUC sets hearing in Lucerne for proposed water-rate hikes

LUCERNE -- People interested in voicing their opinions on proposed water-rate hikes in Lucerne will have the chance to do so in front of a judge in the lakeside town next week.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is holding a public-participation hearing April 12 at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center to allow citizens the chance to learn about and comment on the request for a new rate structure submitted by Lucerne's private water provider.

San Jose-based California Water Service Co. (Cal Water) filed a general rate case with the CPUC last July asking for permission to implement a 77-percent rate increase over three years starting in 2014.

The company contends the restructuring is needed to cover operational and maintenance costs, fund needed system improvements and address sales decreases in the town of a little more than 2,000.

Many residents and business owners in Lucerne have expressed ire about the level of proposed increases on top of existing rates that they argue are already too high.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors opposed Cal Water's proposal in letters to state officials last summer. Administrative Law Judge Robert M. Mason III granted the county's request for party status in the rate case Tuesday.

An administrative law judge will preside over the April 12 hearing in Lucerne, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at the senior center, 3985 Country Club Drive. Members of the public can speak and have their comments included as part of the official record.

Elected officials who attend the hearing will be allowed to speak first, according to the CPUC. If a large number of attendees sign up to talk, the judge might set a time limit.

CPUC representatives recommend people arrive at least 15 minutes before the hearing.

For more information, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/ or contact the CPUC Public Advisor's Office at 415-703-2074, toll-free at 866-849-8390 or via email at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.